Dalgona Coffee Overnight Oats

Today’s overnight oats recipe is slightly more involved than some of our other classic overnight oats recipes, but it’s still totally something that works for busy mornings.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it just might be the perfect make-ahead breakfast: a healthy breakfast - with the convenience of overnight oats - and your morning cup of coffee built right in.

How’s THAT for efficiency?

This recipe was inspired by a type of coffee drink that went viral a few years ago - Dalgona Coffee. This is made by whipping instant coffee granules with hot water, forming a thick foam with intense coffee flavor.

We’ve long been a fan of high protein overnight oats as a good way to increase our protein intake... this is just the coffee lovers version!

Not are these high protein oats a healthy breakfast - with good protein content - it’s a great meal prep option.

Making up enough of these for almost an entire week has been a game changer for our busy mornings.

Being able to just grab a quick breakfast out of the fridge is super handy, and that goes double for having the hit of caffeine included!

Really... complex carbs, added protein, and caffeine, all wrapped up in a grab-and-go format... AND with great flavour?

Yeah. That’s why I’m thinking it might just be perfect.

Anyway, let’s look at what you’ll need to have on hand, to make a batch for yourself!

Ingredients

This recipe uses really simple ingredients. Whatever you don’t already have on hand, you won’t have a problem finding in pretty much any large grocery store.

As always, I have some notes for you:

Rolled Oats

This coffee overnight oats recipe uses Rolled Oats, which can also be labeled as old fashioned rolled oats, or even just old-fashioned oats.

For best results, stick to rolled oats. It really is the best type of oats for this making this Dalgona overnight oatmeal!

Two things to note here:

1. Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if you are avoiding gluten for any reason.

Oats themselves are gluten free, but they’re also HIGHLY likely to be cross-contaminated with wheat, if it’s not certified that they’re NOT.

2. Steel-cut oats, and any form of quick oats - AKA instant oats - aren’t going to work the same way in this recipe, as they all behave differently.

Because they’re processed and cut differently, they’ll take up liquid differently, for the same measure of oats. Steel cut oats will have a more tough texture, and quick cooking oats will make a mushy overnight oats.

Coffee

Coffee gets used in two ways for this recipe - brewed coffee in the oats themselves, and instant coffee / instant espresso to make the whipped coffee topping.

While you could use instant coffee in the oats, you’d want to process it down first, and heat the almond milk before stirring it in. All that, and it won’t taste as good as if you use a decent freshly brewed coffee!

Brewed coffee won’t work for mixing the topping, as the instant coffee granules help form the structure of the foam.

In terms of what kind of coffee to use, use whatever you’d brew up to drink, for the brewed coffee. We usually use some sort of French Roast, but - one of these days - I’ll try it with a flavoured coffee.

Maybe this fall, we’ll do up a batch of pumpkin spice latte overnight oats.

On that note, feel free to add a little bit - ¼ teaspoon or so, to start - of your favourite extract, or use a protein powder that would go well with coffee, if you’d like a flavoured Dalgona coffee overnight oats.

Chocolate protein powder would make it like a mocha... we have a chocolate banana one that’s actually fantastic with coffee. There are all kinds of flavor variations you could do!

Anyway, in terms of the instant coffee... just be sure to use a good quality one! I find that the cheaper ones...well, definitely taste like instant coffee!

Vanilla Flavored Protein Powder

This recipe uses Vanilla Flavored Whey Protein Powder - it adds sweetness AND negates the need for vanilla extract!

Personally, I keep a big canister of Revolution Nutrition's High Whey in Vanilla Cake on hand at all times, and use it in a TON of my recipe - baked goods, beverages, etc.

Use whatever vanilla protein powder that you like to drink, and fits your macros.

If you use a plant-based protein powder / vegan protein powder, this can be a vegetarian or vegan overnight oats recipe - you’ll just want to be sure you’re using a plant-based collagen powder. (Or you can skip it entirely.)

Just note: The sweetness of the finished oatmeal will depend on the sweetness of your protein powder. Maple syrup is listed as an optional ingredient, for this reason!

Unsweetened Almond Milk

While Unsweetened Almond Milk has been my milk of choice for years now, sometimes I’ll use coconut milk in this Dalgona Coffee Overnight Oatmeal recipe.

Both are great dairy-free options now that I can no longer handle cow’s milk, and are great options when trying to keep low carb.

As far as dairy-free milk goes, Oat milk, Cashew Milk, Flax Milk, and Macadamia Milk are all good options. Sometimes you can even find a soy milk with added protein!

We’ve actually really been loving an almond/cashew blend protein milk, lately.

Almond and coconut are the most neutral / complementary tasting options, though - so just know that the other plant milk varieties may change the overall flavour of your overnight oats a bit.

Anyway, beyond the non-dairy milk options, regular milk works, too - just a bit higher carb.

You can use whatever you like, but I’d recommend at least 2% fat, for texture reasons. Whole milk is great... I find 1% / skim milk to be too watery, IMHO.

Chia Seeds

Each serving of this high protein overnight oats uses a tablespoon of chia seeds, which serves a few purposes.

First of all, it absorbs some of the milk and gives the overnight oats the best texture, IMHO. Kind of a creamy consistency that you don’t really get when you don’t use them.

They also add a little more protein, some heart-healthy fatty acids, and fiber, well as some minerals and antioxidants. A great ingredient, overall!

Collagen Peptides

This one is optional, but I like to add a scoop of Unflavored Collagen Peptides Powder , as an easy way to give my overnight oats a boost of extra protein.

If you’re not particularly concerned about adding additional protein and don’t have any collagen on hand, you can feel free to skip it.

Everything Else

Rounding out this recipe, you will need:

Plain, Unsweetened Greek Yogurt
Maple Syrup, optional
Granulated Sugar
Salt

... I just don’t have anything else to add, as far as these last few ingredients go. Pretty simple stuff!

How to Make Dalgona Coffee Overnight Oats

The full recipe - including the complete ingredient list - is in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, here is the pictorial walk through, with step-by-step instructions.

Measure rolled oats, protein powder, chia seeds, collagen, and salt into the jar. Stir with a fork until well mixed.

Add the yogurt, coffee, and almond milk to the jar, mix to combine. Taste, sweeten with maple syrup if desired.

Cover and chill overnight.

Dalgona Coffee Topping

The next morning, the coffee overnight oatmeal a good stir, set aside.

Measure the sugar, boiling water, and instant coffee into a small bowl. Using a milk frother, whip until it’s thick, foamy, and has the texture of whipped cream.

Spoon the Dalgona coffee over your coffee overnight oats, and serve.

Note: The Dalgona topping is STRONG! You’ll definitely want to poke it into the oats, or mix it in as you go!

Also, while you can keep overnight oats in the fridge for a few days (in an airtight container), note that the topping will start to separate, and leech into the oatmeal.

Not the prettiest thing, but safe and just as tasty!

More Protein Powder Breakfast Recipes!

Looking for more protein packed breakfast recipes? I’ve got you covered! (And hey, many are low carb, also!)

Apple Cinnamon High Protein Overnight Oats
Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancakes
Camping Pancake Mix
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Cranberry Orange High Protein Overnight Oats
Blueberry Protein Pancakes
High Protein Overnight Oats
Peanut Butter and Banana High Protein Overnight Oats
Protein Banana Nut Bread
Pumpkin Overnight Oats
Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
Raspberry Protein Pancakes
Strawberry Protein Pancakes
Ube Overnight Oats